Misty Lavender
Consolida ajacis
Photo: Didier Descouens · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Features tall spires of 1 1/2-1 3/4", dense florets on 9-12" flower spikes. Plants produce double blooms with a small percentage of singles. In our trials, Misty Lavender is identical to the heirloom variety known as 'Earl Grey.' Attracts hummingbirds.
Harvest
80-90d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
1–11
USDA hardiness
Height
9-12 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Misty Lavender in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 flower →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Misty Lavender · Zones 1–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May – June | July – August | July – September | — |
| Zone 2 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 11 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 12 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 13 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | June – July | — |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – April | March – May | — |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | February – April | — |
Succession Planting
Larkspur doesn't hold well in heat, so succession sowing is worth doing — but the window is narrow. In zone 7, direct sow every 3 weeks starting April 1, with a hard stop by late May. Pushing past that means your later sowings will hit 85°F+ daytime temps right at the bud-development stage and stall out without flowering.
One approach that works well: sow the first round directly in early April, then start a second round indoors in late April for a May transplant. That indoor buffer buys a little extra time. Don't bother with a third succession — by mid-June in Georgia, the heat window for larkspur is closed.
Complete Growing Guide
Growing Misty Lavender (Consolida ajacis) flower. Light: Full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 1 to 11. Days to maturity: 80. Difficulty: Easy. Heirloom — open-pollinated, save seeds for next year.
Harvesting
Misty Lavender reaches harvest at 80 - 90 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 1 1/2-1 3/4" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.
This is an ornamental variety — not grown for harvest. Enjoy in the garden landscape.
Storage & Preservation
For fresh flowers, store Misty Lavender stems in a cool location (65-72°F) away from direct sunlight and ethylene-producing fruits. Keep in a vase with fresh, cool water and change water every 2-3 days for a vase life of 7-10 days. For preservation, hang-dry bundles in a dark, well-ventilated area (2-3 weeks) to create dried flowers ideal for arrangements and crafts. Alternatively, press individual florets between paper for 1-2 weeks to preserve for decorative use. Freeze-dry petals in an airtight container for 6+ months storage, retaining color and fragrance for botanical crafts and potpourri.
History & Origin
Misty Lavender is an heirloom variety with documented breeding heritage. Misty Lavender is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.
Consolida ajacis is an annual flowering plant of the family Ranunculaceae native to Eurasia. It is widespread in other areas, including much of North America, where it is an introduced species. It is frequently grown in gardens as an ornamental for its spikes of blue, pink or white flowers. It may reach a meter in height. Since the aerial parts and seeds of C. ajacis have been found to contain diterpenoid alkaloids, including the highly toxic methyllycaconitine, the plants should be considered as poisonous.
Advantages
- +Heirloom variety — open-pollinated, save seeds for next year
- +Easy to grow — beginner-friendly
- +Wide hardiness — grows in USDA zones 1-11
Companion Plants
Rosemary, thyme, sage, and oregano are the strongest companions for Misty Lavender, and the reason is simple: they share similar Mediterranean preferences for lean, well-drained soil and full sun, so they won't compete hard for water or nutrients. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) add some pest-confusion value around the edges of a cutting bed, and catmint and alliums fill in structural gaps without shading the larkspur's lower stems. In our zone 7 Georgia garden, this combination also means you're not overwatering the bed to satisfy a thirsty neighbor — a real problem here in humid springs.
Mint is the main plant to keep well back. It spreads aggressively by runner and will crowd larkspur roots within a single season, and it pulls far more water than Consolida is comfortable with. Impatiens and camellias are mismatches for the same underlying reason — both want shade and consistent moisture, conditions that push larkspur straight toward damping off and powdery mildew before it ever hits 80 days.
Plant Together
Rosemary
Similar water and soil requirements, both repel pests and attract beneficial insects
Thyme
Compatible growing conditions and helps deter cabbage worms and whiteflies
Sage
Shares Mediterranean growing preferences and repels carrot flies and cabbage moths
Oregano
Similar drought tolerance and helps repel ants and cucumber beetles
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial predatory insects
Catmint
Deters mosquitoes and ants, shares similar sun and soil requirements
Alliums
Repel aphids and carrot flies, compatible with lavender's growing conditions
Sedum
Drought-tolerant groundcover that attracts pollinators and beneficial insects
Keep Apart
Mint
Aggressive spreader that can overtake lavender and prefers more moisture
Impatiens
Requires frequent watering and rich, moist soil incompatible with lavender
Camellias
Prefer acidic soil while lavender thrives in alkaline conditions
Troubleshooting Misty Lavender
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Seedlings collapsing at the soil line, stems pinched and brown right where they meet the dirt
Likely Causes
- Damping off (Pythium or Rhizoctonia spp.) — soil-borne fungal complex that thrives in wet, poorly drained seed-starting mix
- Overwatering combined with low airflow around seedlings
What to Do
- 1.Pull and discard the affected seedlings immediately — they won't recover
- 2.Let the surface of the mix dry out between waterings; stick your finger an inch down before you water again
- 3.Run a small fan near your seed trays for 30-60 minutes a day to improve airflow and surface drying
Leaves and stems covered in a white powdery coating, usually appearing after the plants have been in the ground 6+ weeks
Likely Causes
- Powdery mildew (Erysiphe spp.) — common on Consolida in humid conditions, especially when nights cool and days stay warm
- Crowded spacing under 12 inches that traps moisture and blocks air circulation
What to Do
- 1.Thin or space plants to at least 12 inches apart so air can move through
- 2.Spray affected foliage with a diluted baking soda solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) early in the morning so leaves dry before nightfall
- 3.Once a plant is heavily infected, pull it — powdery mildew on larkspur spreads fast and the spike won't recover to a usable cut flower
Flower spikes stalling or failing to develop after buds set, plant looking stunted despite decent foliage color
Likely Causes
- Heat stress — Consolida ajacis stops developing properly once daytime highs push past 80-85°F, which happens fast in a Georgia spring
- Transplant shock from moving seedlings too late, leaving roots no time to settle before summer heat arrives
What to Do
- 1.Direct sow in early April at the latest in zone 7 — larkspur does best establishing in cool soil around 55-65°F
- 2.If transplanting, harden off seedlings for 7-10 days and get them in the ground by early May so they have a window before heat arrives
- 3.Accept that a late planting may not perform; pull spent plants, amend the bed, and plan an earlier sow next season
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Misty Lavender cut flowers last in a vase?▼
Is Misty Lavender good for beginning gardeners?▼
Can you grow Misty Lavender in containers?▼
When should I plant Misty Lavender seeds?▼
What does Misty Lavender attract to my garden?▼
Is Misty Lavender the same as Earl Grey?▼
Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
- BreederJohnny's Selected Seeds
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.